Pink Cathedral
Life is an everyday learning process. We use to do lots of activities and discoveries that nurtured us to become better individuals. As from childhood, I use spend my life independently at the age of 12. Being a man exposed to a city life, I been used to live a comfort life using the innovative technology to enhance and make things easy. Having this kind of life, I assume that I almost know and experience everything. But I was deadly wrong, there so much things to learn and discover in this world, and that’s where my journey begins.
December 1, 2008 boarding on a flight Air India, Dubai to Delhi. I had this mix feeling in my heart. I felt scared that this might be something wrong happened to me due to recent terrorist attack in Mumbai last November 26 and some insurgency issues in Assam-closer to my destination…at that same time a feeling of excitement to see my best friend Hileo. We use to work together in one company in Dubai. For almost three years we spent together, I could say that it’s my most memorable and happiest days of my stay in Dubai. Unfortunately, after completing 3 years, he decided to go back to India and take further course. For this, I decided to pay him a visit for 2 weeks before heading to my country-Philippines. While on board, a woman sitting next to mine is so nice telling me how beautiful the place I’m planning to visit. But she gave me some pre cautionary measures just to make me safe on my journey. Like be careful on the food I ate and taking some public vehicles as there have lots of unscrupulous people trying to charge me for a high fare. Around 5:30 am (next day-India time) plane finally landed at the Indira Ghandi Int’l Airport. After the immigration checking and all, I’m now ready to see my friend. And there he was… It took us about 45 minutes to reach her sister place in Noida (a place where I’m going to stay for a while.) While on my journey, I’ve seen how people are living in the city…far from Dubai and most likely in my country. Where you can find small and big cars everywhere. Different form of transportation can be found on the road. Everything was covered by a fog. It’s cold here for winter season is approaching. But I never mind this part seriously. I spent 2 days and 1 night in Hileo’s sister place-Kajini and Ashiho along with their cute twins Neli and Loli. On 3rd, we started moving from Delhi to Guwahati via train. We took the first class train by 11:45 pm, unfortunately, our trip got delayed. In fact, we started moving at 7:30 am on the next day (4th Dec). I felt strange upon entering the train. I cannot handle the smell but I just thought it was just common to this kind of transportation. While on board, I really find it hard to take the food that they are serving, thanks God, there are some vendors who use to sell some biscuits and water in every station where the train use to stop. This situation somehow bothers me. The only thing that really gives me a relief was the thought of I’m with my best friend and this situation is only part on my journey and not my final destination…that I’m might be seeing lots of spectacular views while I’m on my way. It took us 12 hours of journey to reach Guwahati- that was 5th Dec. From there, we prefer to stay to a hotel for a night since I’m not feeling well at all. I haven’t eaten my food very well, I need some place to rest even just for a night for I cannot bear any longer to take another 5 hours trip to Dimapur. It’s very shameful to tell but I’m almost passed out but I have to act normal. I felt shy with Hileo for he is the only one carrying our heavy luggage. We stayed at Raj Mahal Hotel in Guwahati and finally I took nice food…chicken tika along with rice and ice cream for my dessert. On the next day, we left the hotel at around 6:00am to catch another train to Dimapur. From there, it took us 5 hour s journey to reach the place. Hileo’s Aunt meets us from the train station along with her youngest son Peter. We had our food and visited his Aunt’s college where she is doing some sort of renovation. We left the place at around 3pm going to Kohima via his Aunt’s car.
Hornbill Festival
It was Dec. 6th when I reach Kohima. And a breathtaking view feed my eyes. Those thick and green forest and the mountains makes me feel relaxed. I was totally amazed with the place. The sky was grey and the clouds hung low. As a nature lover, this place rocks! The weather and the sceneries seems perfect and ideal place for relaxation. I’ve seen lots of pineapple fruits sold along the road and piled of fire woods which has been used by the villagers for cooking and to keep them warm. Upon reaching my friend’s aunties house, we welcomed with a cup of hot tea. House was situated in an elevated area where you could have a bird’s eye view on the place. Seeing those colourful Christmas lights sprawling all over this mountainous place creating aesthetic scene in space… Seeing those mountains covered by fog which seems kissing each other. We spent a night from there. On the next day (7th Dec) we visited the Pink Cathedral. It really caught my attention the architectural designs of the cathedral. Seems if you look at it from down distance, it seems that God is watching the whole place. Pine trees are everywhere, its leaves and branches dances as the wind blows start to play. Swaying and seems talking each other. After this, we proceed to the Heritage Village where the Hornbill Festival final day was being held. This festival was amazing. Seeing different tribes exhibiting their respective cultures, wearing colourful costumes, delectable delicacies and film showing about the history of the place. I had enjoyed eating the dried pork cooked with soup, boiled fresh vegetables, fish wrapped with banana leaf and their local rice beer. That makes me feel dizzy. Taste were not that good enough to compare with those branded beer that I use to drink normally but it almost strikes me off after taking 1 glass of it. I’m seen lots of beautiful women too. Place had westernized influence. Where live bands use to play most of English music. In fact, Hileo is a good guitarist and a good singer. People dressed in fashionable way.
On the night time, we decided to take rest in a hotel-Japfu Hotel since we’re going to a party on a secluded place with other 2 common friends. This place is really cold which I felt biting my soul. Jacket, scarf, bonnet and winter gloves were not even enough to keep my body warm. On the next day (8th Dec) I had the chance to visit the War Cemetery along with Hileo’s cousin brother Kholi- a young certified Mechanical Engineer. A historic landmark which always remind Naga people on the braveness of their ancestors and other military soldiers to fight against the enemy and avail the freedom that they’re enjoying. “WHEN YOU GO HOME, TELL THEN OF US AND SAY, FOR YOUR TOMORROW, WE GAVE OUR TODAY”…this phrase flashed in my eyes as I enter this historic place which built in memory of the men of the 2nd Division who fell in the battle of Kohima and for the fighting of Imphal Road. At the top of the place, you can see all the name of officers and men who died in the battle engraved on the black stone.
Mao Village
On afternoon we started moving on to Hileo’s village- The Mao Village. It took us approximately, an hour to reach their place where his parents are waiting us. After meeting and greeting his mother, “ZU BWE HU MWE! (How are you?) She offered us a short prayer for a safe journey. This thing really touched my heart for I was surrounded by God fearing Nagas people. From his sister in Delhi, Aunt and Uncle, cousins in Kohima and his parents from his village. No wonder why I’ve seen churches were built everywhere. From there I stayed the rest of the day and I was really touched the way his parents took care of me. Unlike her husband, Uncle Pfokrehe, English language was a problem for Aunt Kebesa , but language will never be an issue for us to express our thoughts and gratitude. I knew that she was nice and accomodating and doing her best to give me what I need. And I’m certain about it. I wish I could talk to them more often but due to language barriers seems hard for me to do it. Though the village are not having complete facilities, but still it’s surrounded by glorious mountains and friendly locals…and most especially, I’m staying with God fearing and accommodating Aunt & Uncle Pfokrehe. These things are much enough to satisfy me and enjoyed my stay. In fact, Aunt Kebesa’s word will always be tattoo on my mind. And I will always treasured it and share it to others too. A short phrase yet it really makes me felt that I was really welcomed. A phrase that could change the world if we do and share it to every human being…this phrase goes “Never allowed yourself to get hungry and thirsty”. Actually its more than a phrase, it’s a wisdom that we should live up with. Living standard is simple in the village. Auntie Kebesa use to woke up early in the morning preparing food for breakfast. And after that she will go to her vegetables garden to cultivate it. Upon going home, she use to carry fire woods using “Oro” (Naga’s basket) which the tie is being placed over the head. Oftentimes, she use to go in church to pray too. From there I realized that at her age of 55, she is still strong enough to do her tough daily routines. Maybe, because people here had enough exercise, eating natural and fresh vegetables from their own garden, taking enough sleep on time plus strong faith in God. All these healthy and simple lifestyle makes the villagers strong and live the life long. Far from the life that I use to have in the city where I use to sleep late at night during weekends and waking up late in the morning. From there, I just take a cup of coffee along with cigarettes to cover up my breakfast and lunch and doing the laundry and cleaning my place. I normally took my food at around 5 pm that is my dinner already. I use to carve chips or sandwiches in the middle of the night. From that, my meal is complete for the day. There were even times that we tried to go for hunting carrying an “air gun” for bird’s hunting. I wish the villager’s will stop this kind of activity and let God’s precious gift will exist in their natural habitat. Other than this everything has a perfect living. As I said “Simple life, makes a perfect living”. Villager’s use to bury their dead loved ones in their own land too. While in my place, we use to have a public cemetery to buried our dear ones. Deep in y heart, I envy this people…living a simple and happy life…being content of they have…having strong faith in God. I wish we could have the same village in my country…I wish my people in the world will leave the way as Nagas do. Living a simple life, developing our soil, for this there will be peace on earth and no one will get hungry and thirsty.
Mao Village Uncle Pfokrehe, Hileo & Aunt Kebesa
Its was December 15 that I left the place and this time we’ll be taking flights from Guwahati to Delhi to catch my flight from Delhi to Manila via Hongkong. And I’ll promise to myself, I’ll be coming back to this place and I’ll be spending more days on my next visit.
